How is the mass ratio ($ rac{M_2}{M_1}$) of two stars related to the semi-major axes ($a_1$ and $a_2$) of their relative orbits around the center of mass?
Answer
It is inversely proportional to the distance ratio: $\frac{M_2}{M_1} = \frac{a_1}{a_2}$
The mass ratio is inversely proportional to the distance ratio, meaning the lighter star orbits further from the center of mass than the heavier star, mathematically expressed as $\frac{M_2}{M_1} = \frac{a_1}{a_2}$.
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